Hitting the bullseye blindfolded

[OntheGORV]

I've owned them all {RV's} I have camped them all from National Parks, State Parks, BLM, etc as well as franchised, clubs, Moose, Eagles, etc, military organizations, FAMCAMP {DOD}, Boondocking to free drycamps throughout the good ole USA. That being said Camping can be cheap to massively expensive. This guy nor most people have never seen the stats of state or national data concerning injuries or fatalities of RV DOT by type by cause or by cost. This stuff is available. It is downright scary. I have seen the carnage and it is ugly. Falling asleep at the wheel, propane explosions, tire blowouts, animal strikes etc. Wind, rain, snow, fallen trees and rocks on highways. Excessive speed, faulty brakes, bad tires, poor maintenance, inexperienced drivers. Bad pavement condition, driving impaired, distractions. Need I say more?
Camping RVing is a multibillion dollar business. RV sales, equipment, memberships, camp fee's, fuel, parts and labor, etc. I have heard all of the good and bad stories. Even from the non RVing public. OTR Truck Drivers stories is a subject of its own. Granted you can't expect a perfect world on the world of RVing. Yet this summer it is a sensitive topic that needs to be brought up. the human cost is approaching a tipping point, never mind the pros and cons of the industry.
What say you?

 

[Rich W.]

Most of the issues you mentioned are either preventable or can be anticipated, and the rest come with the territory. Be prepared, approach the task like a professional driver, and enjoy the fruits of your labors.

 

[Lab00Rat]

What's the alternative? Don't live?
Life is dangerous and more so when stupid. Plan to live because the alternative is worse.

 

[J&JD]

Sometimes I wonder how I’ve managed to live this long, looking back on all the silly, stupid things I have done in the past……It’s all good!

 

[Dona40]

Agreed. There are worse things to worry about... And I didn't even get political

 

[B & J T]

Sometimes I wonder how I’ve managed to live this long, looking back on all the silly, stupid things I have done in the past……It’s all good!

No kidding. Sometimes I feel like I'm playing on house money.

Having said that you can mitigate a lot of the risks. Take frequent breaks, don't temp weather, be disciplined enough to not be distracted. There's always risks no matter what but many can be managed.

 

[OntheGORV]

Most of the issues you mentioned are either preventable or can be anticipated, and the rest come with the territory. Be prepared, approach the task like a professional driver, and enjoy the fruits of your labors.

It's nice to think one is among the 1%, until one gets involved in the statistics of data. I assure you, even the 1% get knocked down. Talk to the medical EMT's that deal with issues. Be it human error or good Ol mother nature, there are some RVers that should never be on the road. Or take their public attitude with them. Obnoxious, arrogance, holier than thou, piousness etc. RV's that belong in the junk yard, uncontrollable pets, loud obnoxious music, unruly behavior, most of whom have never managed an RV camp or have been behind the counter of a business. I have talked with hundreds of camp owners, managers, military officers who have their own horror stories concerning camping people. I have talked with many RV mechanics who say that many issues are preventable. I have witnessed too many camp fights and cursing, road rage, campers leaving a mess in camp and out in the country. Come with what territory? I don't think so.

 

[J&JD]

It's nice to think one is among the 1%, until one gets involved in the statistics of data. I assure you, even the 1% get knocked down. Talk to the medical EMT's that deal with issues. Be it human error or good Ol mother nature, there are some RVers that should never be on the road. Or take their public attitude with them. Obnoxious, arrogance, holier than thou, piousness etc. RV's that belong in the junk yard, uncontrollable pets, loud obnoxious music, unruly behavior, most of whom have never managed an RV camp or have been behind the counter of a business. I have talked with hundreds of camp owners, managers, military officers who have their own horror stories concerning camping people. I have talked with many RV mechanics who say that many issues are preventable. I have witnessed too many camp fights and cursing, road rage, campers leaving a mess in camp and out in the country. Come with what territory? I don't think so.

Man, maybe you should tell us what you really think!

 

[OntheGORV]

Man, maybe you should tell us what you really think!

Mmmm! Man, perhaps some people can't handle the truth.

 

[Rich W.]

It's nice to think one is among the 1%, until one gets involved in the statistics of data. I assure you, even the 1% get knocked down. Talk to the medical EMT's that deal with issues. Be it human error or good Ol mother nature, there are some RVers that should never be on the road. Or take their public attitude with them. Obnoxious, arrogance, holier than thou, piousness etc. RV's that belong in the junk yard, uncontrollable pets, loud obnoxious music, unruly behavior, most of whom have never managed an RV camp or have been behind the counter of a business. I have talked with hundreds of camp owners, managers, military officers who have their own horror stories concerning camping people. I have talked with many RV mechanics who say that many issues are preventable. I have witnessed too many camp fights and cursing, road rage, campers leaving a mess in camp and out in the country. Come with what territory? I don't think so.

Actually it does come with the territory which it why it helps to be good at what you do. Im finishing up my fifth decade in emergency services and throughout my career, Ive always camped. From to time to to time I’ve run into most of the stuff you seem concerned about and have made adjustments accordingly. I still enjoy it, perhaps now more than ever.

I guess my question for you is, what are you suggesting? I was first in on a plane vs house where a teenage kid died in his bed with an airplane on top of him. Are you suggesting we‘d be better off if we all stay home, or are you just venting after some unpleasant experiences?

I would venture to guess most reading this (likely everyone reading this) have tales of camping woe (I have plenty), but it doesnt stop us from living the way we choose, and I hope it doesn’t stop you either. Sometimes it takes a while to find one’s niche, but its usually out there.

 

[OntheGORV]

Actually it does come with the territory which it why it helps to be good at what you do. Im finishing up my fifth decade in emergency services and throughout my career, Ive always camped. From to time to to time I’ve run into most of the stuff you seem concerned about and have made adjustments accordingly. I still enjoy it, perhaps now more than ever.

I guess my question for you is, what are you suggesting? I was first in on a plane vs house where a teenage kid died in his bed with an airplane on top of him. Are you suggesting we‘d be better off if we all stay home, or are you just venting after some unpleasant experiences?

I would venture to guess most reading this (likely everyone reading this) have tales of camping woe (I have plenty), but it doesnt stop us from living the way we choose, and I hope it doesn’t stop you either. Sometimes it takes a while to find one’s niche, but its usually out there.

There are star ratings for almost everything. But no star rating exists for customers, consumers, RVrs, truckers, motorcyclists etc. It is not a "point"! RV sellers are not going to put a RV buyer on a "character" treadmill. However as well the state DOT offices are not making up a "RV character test either. What each state should do is publish the carnage available to the public that taxpayers endure the personal and public damage RVers cause. National and state parks, nature and animals suffer hugely from over saturation of humanity. People complain about gas prices yet far too many have gas hogs and they drive excessive speeds. This is not a display of individual right. It is a collective national issue of mass humanity causing too many problems. Like an over stuffed cruise ship of crazy people. No one is screaming ENOUGH already! This planet is not a party planet. The RV world needs to CHILL!.

 

[GypsyR]

The RV world needs to CHILL!.

I don't get it. Read it all twice. A summation maybe?

How would I, as a member of the RV world, "Chill" exactly? As you put it. Some easygoing camping and relaxing is what I see as chilling. That doesn't seem to fit.

 

[AbdRahim]

Though the issues may be intensified in an RV, most of the issues mentioned are a r9isk when driving any motor vehicle.

 

[Fish]

Extremely strange entrance.

 

[Lab00Rat]

We've experienced the cringe worthy camping experiences, but have never thought to stop our lifestyle because of others.

The long story:
We were staying at a state park recently and were enjoying ourselves. We struck up a conversation on our walk with a guy, I'll call Joe, who was very friendly. As we were talking he starting getting too friendly and asking specific questions about us like, what city are you from, what kind of coach do you own, where do you work... I stopped at that one. We remained friendly and went on our way.

Later that evening Joe stopped by our campsite while we were enjoying the campfire. He seemed very handsy in his fast-paced speech. He began to unload all his life... all of it. We are genuine people (or try to be), but we let him talk and the more he said the less it connected. We are not sure it was all BS or if he really was hurting. Several facts did not agree with statements, not did his statement agree as the length of time passed. His story kept changing, and we both knew it. The wife could not take it any longer and left the conversation as soon as he started asking for money. Yes, the sob story (real or not) culminated in begging. Mind you, his speech and body motions reflected someone who was not balanced and calm.

We were both uneasy at the encounter, but gave Joe $5 for the morning coffee he said he'd be happy to receive. We thought his pleasure at $5 odd as he bragged at making $250k the year before.
I should also mention that there was only one other motorhome in the campground, and it wasn't Joe's. Joe was tent camping, and he said that's where he was living at the time. It could be true, but wasn't adding up because there is a strict 30-day limit on camping, and Joe said he's been there for 45 days.

We did not like the exposure or intrusion of our camping experience. Judge me a a snob, but we were both uncomfortable staying at that empty campground. We made reservations to complete our week camping 100+ miles away, and pulled camp the next morning. We traveled to the next campground, paid extra (still holding the original site), and put an awkward situation behind us.

Joe's behavior and body language were major red flags. I won't speculate, but we did not feel that $5 was enough to keep Joe from coming back for more. I like talking with other campers and hearing their story, but I had to draw the line and take action to separate from the opportunity we presented.

We are looking forward to camping in a couple weeks. We are not going to change our lifestyle because of negative interactions. We will adjust and plan accordingly. Be flexible and maintain safety.

tldr;
We moved when we felt uncomfortable with other campers. We still camp.